Bumper Christmas TV listings: Your guide to sports on tv

As the rest of the world prepares to wind down and enjoy the festive period with their loved ones, professional athletes the world over are ready for the busiest period of the year.

From rugby to NFL to the Premier League, there are no shortage of sporting fixtures to fill up the hours on the couch as you enjoy yet another chocolate bar from the selection box. Don't worry about it, the diet starts on January 3rd...

The two teams that met in last year's NBA Finals come face to face again on Christmas Day. After blowing their 3-1 lead, the Warriors signed Kevin Durant during the off-season to make themselves the most feared team in the league. Will it be enough this time around?

NFL Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers: Sky Sports 1, 8pm

NBA Chicago Bulls @ San Antonio Spurs: Eir Sport 1, 10pm

Cricket Australia vs. Pakistan: BT Sport 3,11pm

NBA Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder: Eir Sport 1, 1am

NFL Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans: Sky Sports 1, 1am

December 26th

Premier League Watford vs. Crystal Palace: Sky Sports, 12.30pm

Racing Race Day: Eir Sport 1, 2pm

A traditionally huge day on the racing calendar includes action from Leopardstown, Limerick and Down Royal.

As the NFL regular season comes to a close, there are a number of crunch games with plenty on the line. You can keep up with all the games on Red Zone, as the Tennessee Titans take on the Houston Texans, the Green Bay Packers face the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys hope to continue their brilliant season to date against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders will face one of their most difficult games of the season as they take on the Denver Broncos, and the Kansas City Chiefs face the San Diego Chargers.